This month’s Annie’s Hook and Needle club kit came with enough yarn for two placemats; the pattern started with a Chainless Foundation stitch. So this weeks tutorial will be one of the three ways I am aware of for a crocheter to start a new project.

The first two techniques I have already posted tutorial’s on. The first was the traditional starting chain and then a row of single crochets. (see link The Chain Stitch) The second was the Japanese Foundation row. (see link Japanese Foundation Row) Thirdly, the post for this week I will be writing about – the foundation single crochet. The foundation single crochet (or what some like to call the chainless single crochet foundation) is a way to start a project by working the starting chain and foundation row of single crochet at the same time.

Before we begin the tutorial I would like to explain some benefits of knowing this technique:

1. A person will never have to rip everything out because they had miscounted. I know we have all been there and done that.

2. If you like crocheting garments this is a great technique to know. Although similar in appearance it is not as tight, this is important if you do not want your garments to pucker or buckle around the beginning edge.

3. A person will not have a tight starting chain that will buckle your first row of single crochet.

Sometimes a person might crochet a starting chain that is tighter then the rest of your work, causing the foundation row to buckle. Whey you use the foundation single crochet you will have the same tension without having to adjust your hook size.

4. Sometimes it is hard to crochet into the starting chains because some people crochet them very tight. With the foundation single crochet you do not have to insert your hook into a starting chain.

5. Have you ever crocheted the traditional starting chain only to discover at the end of row one that you are a few chains short? This problem can be easily fixed by using the foundation single crochet to add stitches to the end of your row without taking the stitches out first.

Note: In addition to the single crochet you can also use this technique with the half double, double crochet and triple.

I hope by this time I got your curiousity piqued. If so go and get your yarn and hook and lets learn a new way to begin your projects.

Foundation Single Crochet Tutorial:

Step 1: Start by chaining two. (pictured below)

Step 2: Insert your hook into the second chain from your hook (which is also the first chain that was made). (picture below)

Note: make sure you have two loops on top of the hook and one on the bottom.

Step 3: yarn over (wrap the yarn around your hook). Then pull the yarn though one loop on your hook. (picture below)

Note: This should leave you 2 loops on your hook

Note: When you are working this stitch keep in mind that you are crocheting the chain stitch and single crochet at the same time. By remembering this helps me to remember the steps.

Step 4: yarn over (wrap the yarn around your hook) Then pull the yarn though one loop on your hook. (Pictured Below)

Note: This should leave you 2 loops on your hook.

Step 5: yarn over (wrap the yarn around your hook) Then pull the though the last 2 loops on your hook. (Picture Below)

Note: This should leave you 1 loop on your hook)

You have just crocheted your first chain one and single crochet.

To add more single crochet stitches:

Step 6: Insert your hook under the 2 loops of the “chain” portion that was made in the previous stitch. (Pictured Below)

Note: It may be easier to see where to insert your hook if you hold your work sideways or upside down.

Repeat steps 3 – 5 to complete the stitch. You can make a row as long as you desire. This will replace the starting chain and first row of single crochets to any project you desire. (Pictured Below)

You now have your first row of Foundation Single crochet. Are you as amazed as I was when I first tried this method? Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Until next week, keep those hooks flying.

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About crochetwithpassion

I have been certified through the Craft Yarn Council both in teaching and Instructor. I also have been teaching people to crochet for over fifteen years.
This is what I will be doing through this blog.
In the Crochet Master Class there are 18 projects. Some of the projects will be familiar to me such as Hairpin Lace; Tunisian Crochet; Filet Crochet; Double Ended Crochet; painted Crochet; Aran Crochet and Irish Crochet. However there are several in the book that are new and have peaked my interest and that includes the following: Woven Crochet; Tapestry Crochet; Entrelac Crochet; Fashion Crochet; Tassels; Bullion Stitch; Overlay Crochet; Bead Crochet; Bruges Crochet; Free-form crochet and Wire Crochet.
Since Crocheting is a time consuming craft I will only be posting once a week.
If you are like me and love to crochet but would really like to challenge yourself to go beyond what you are now doing, come along with me and move to the next level. Although the actual patterns will not be posted (copyright law) I will take you through each project and go through the process of each one.
This is not a blog about free crochet patterns or selling crochet tools. What I would like to do is take you with me on the journey through this book as I learn and crochet each of 18 projects. I will attempt to crochet each project in the book, and in the process recording in detail my progress and the problems I encounter along the way and the process I went through to accomplish each project. I am hoping that you will not only learn from my experience but that it will inspire you to push yourself to the next phase in your crocheting skills.
Until next time; keep those hooks flying.

Regina – I am so happy that you found the post informative. This is an useful stitch to master and I saw in your post you picked it rather quickly. The shrug you made was beautifully worked and adorable.

Hi, thank you for sharing your great advice about foundation single crochet. But photo number 2 (step 2) totally confuses me because it looks like there are too many loops on your hook. When I chain 2 and then insert my hook into the top 2 loops of the first chain, I have one loop on my hook already then 2 more loops that got on my hook when I inserted into chain one but your photo shows 2 loops on the bottom and then 2 more where you inserted under the 2 loops of chain one. Where did your extra loop come from? Thank you again!